March 2019
Alumna Feature: The Start of the Grace Notes by Kaci Korn '05
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here." – J.K. Rowling
In the fall of 2002, seven CSG girls stood around an old upright piano in the choir room, looking a bit perplexed. Over the summer they had been tasked with finding a name for the new, auditioned vocal ensemble that was to be formed during the coming academic year. Alex Ording '05, raised her hand.
"My mom thought of a really good name. What about…the Grace Notes?"
Just like that, an ensemble was born (And thank you again, Mrs. Ording, for that inspired play on Forte et Gratum).
I am honored to have been a part of that original seven girls. I entered CSG as a freshman in the fall of 2001, six weeks before 9/11. During that uncertain time, I felt so safe and protected at CSG, particularly in the halls of the music wing. Making music with my new friends in the choir was the highlight of my day, and I was constantly craving more chances to sing with them. A few of us decided to branch out of the general choir and sing in a smaller group. We typically met during activities period and our morning break. Along with Mrs. Kopetz, we scoured the CSG choral library to find an array of music from touching, traditional choral pieces, to jazz and music theater numbers. Towards the end of the year, we realized…we sounded pretty good! It was time to expand.
Throughout the next two years, the Grace Notes continued to grow. We added to our repertoire, did masterclasses and workshops, and even booked a few non-CSG gigs along the way. In spring 2004, we entered our first competition. We traveled to Virginia Beach, VA to compete with choral ensembles around the nation. To our utter surprise, our ensemble (while still in its infancy) walked home with the grand prize. It's a day I will never forget.
I had the opportunity to return to CSG last year and was able to see firsthand the incredible growth and development of the music and theater programs at CSG over the many years. I am so proud of my alma mater for placing value on arts education in a world where it can be so easily overlooked or lost altogether.
In the spring, the current Grace Notes will take the stage at Carnegie Hall, a distinguished honor for any musical ensemble. I wish you the best of luck, ladies, and one piece of advice: Savor every second of your time making music together. You are part of something incredibly special.
| |
Alumnae Board Update
Fellow Unicorns:
Happy Women's History Month! We are so lucky to be a part of a great group of women who make history every day. In every possible way, our community of alumnae shapes the world around us. That is truly powerful. My hope is that we all continue to harness our personal power and use it to positively impact our surrounding communities, wherever we are. Leave your mark, ladies!
The Alumnae Board has been busy! Alumnae Weekend is at the forefront of our minds. We have been in planning mode for the last few months, but in true CSG form, we are all multitasking. In addition to making sure that we plan the best Alumnae Weekend possible, the Alumnae Board has also been doing some reorganizing internally to optimize our support of CSG and the alumnae community! Our Board has been working tirelessly to make sure that alumnae are participating and heard. I am forever grateful for the work that this small group of women does. Over the next couple of months we are taking nominations for new Board members, so if you'd like to serve or nominate a classmate, please reach out and let us know (alumnae@columbusschoolforgirls.org). We would LOVE to have you.
As you see above, our alumna feature this week was written by one of the founding members of the Grace Notes. On Sunday, April 7, in celebration of the Grace Notes concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City, CSG will be hosting a brunch at the Cornell Club sponsored by four generous alumnae! The event will take place from 11:00am - 1:00pm. The Cornell Club is located at 6 East 44th Street, New York, NY 10017. We hope that any Unicorns in the NYC area will come out and join us. Click here to register.
Strength and Grace,
JoVonna Moxley-Knapp '96, Alumnae Board President
| |
Alumnae Weekend 2019
Alumnae Weekend 2019 registration is open! Click here to see the full schedule and to register. Join your classmates and fellow Unicorns on campus to celebrate the friendships and memories made at CSG. This year's reunion classes end in 4's and 9's, but all alumnae are encouraged to attend. It will be an unforgettable weekend!
| |
Calendar of Alumnae Events
Alumnae Book Club: Monthly at 1:30pm in CSG's Kibler House
- Thursday, March 21, 2019: Book, Educated by Tara Westover. Discussion led by Susie Cutler Meiling, '61
- Thursday, April 18, 2019: Book, Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday. Discussion led by Amy Bodiker Baskes '90
NYC Alumnae Brunch featuring the Grace Notes: April 7, 2019 from 11:00am - 1:00pm
(Location: Cornell Club, 6 East 44th Street, New York, NY 10017 - Click here to register.)
Generously sponsored by Elizabeth Fiorile '04, Lacey Greenwalt '04, Amy Hertenstein '02, and Lexie Neuhoff Rishty '06
Alumnae Weekend: April 26-27, 2019
(Location: Columbus School for Girls - Click here to view the full schedule and to register.)
| |
Upcoming CSG Events
Spring Break: March 18 - 29, 2019
School closed, but offices open
Leadership Giving Society Happy Hour: April 3, 2019 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
(Location: Giuseppe's Ritrovo, 2268 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209. For more information, email rmazak@columbusschoolforgirls.org)
Grace Notes, Concert at Carnegie Hall: April 7, 2019 at 8:30pm
(Location: Carnegie Hall, New York City - Click here to buy tickets.)
Special Performance of "A Map of Myself" by Sara Abou Rashed: April 27, 2019 at 2:00pm
(Location: Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater - Click here for more information and to register.)
Middle School Play: Haroun and the Sea of Stories: May 3 - 12, 2019
(Location: Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater - Click here for more information.)
| |
Support the CSG Annual Fund
Celebrate your CSG experience by giving to the school that gave you so much! Alumnae participation is vital to the CSG Annual Fund. The Annual Fund plays a crucial role in ensuring that CSG can provide an exceptional experience to its current students - the leaders of tomorrow. Questions about your annual gift? Send us an email: alumnae@columbusschoolforgirls.org or give us a call: 614.252.0781 ext. 130
| |
Alumnae News
We want to hear from you! Please submit important personal or class news to alumnae@columbusschoolforgirls.org! By sharing updates, we can ensure that our alumnae community celebrates and supports you and your classmates.
| |
|
